Program Overview

Introduction to the Criminal Justice Program

The Criminal Justice program at Suffolk University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the American criminal justice system and its intersection with social justice. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, research, and analytical skills, preparing students for careers in fields such as law enforcement, corrections, and social services.

Program Overview

The Criminal Justice major is an interdisciplinary program that draws on courses from sociology, psychology, and political science to provide a broad understanding of the criminal justice system. Students will learn about the historical forces that have shaped the system, as well as the contemporary issues and challenges it faces.

Program Goals

• Develop a solid understanding of the American criminal justice system and its broader historical and institutional contexts
• Critically assess crime and justice policies and practices from intersectional perspectives
• Develop analytical research skills to describe and evaluate real-world social problems and solutions
• Effectively convey ideas through oral and written communications, including policy memos, reflection essays, research papers, and op-eds
• Cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity skills when working with diverse communities

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Criminal Justice major is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system and its intersection with social justice. The program includes a range of courses, including:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Theories of Crime
• Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• Statistics in Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice Policy and Practice
• Restorative Justice
• Crime and Mental Health
• Violence and Crime
• Law and Public Policy
• Policing
• Global Criminology
• Juvenile Justice

Electives

Students can choose from a range of electives to specialize in areas such as:

• Restorative justice
• Crime and mental health
• Violence
• Law and public policy
• Policing
• Global criminology
• Juvenile justice

Program Options

The Criminal Justice program offers several options for students, including:

• Major: The Criminal Justice major is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the American criminal justice system and its intersection with social justice.
• Minor: The Criminal Justice minor is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the criminal justice system and its intersection with social justice.
• Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree: The Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree program allows students to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in just five years.
• Dual Degrees: The program offers several dual degree options, including the MSCJ/MSMHC Dual Degree, the MPA/MSCJ Dual Degree, and the MSCJ/JD Dual Degree.

Research and Fieldwork

The Criminal Justice program at Suffolk University is committed to providing students with hands-on learning opportunities through research and fieldwork. Students can participate in research projects, internships, and fieldwork experiences that provide them with practical experience in the field.

Research Areas

The program has several research areas, including:

• Systemic racism and inequality
• Public safety
• Incarceration
• Violence
• Substance use
• The unique health concerns of women, girls, and gender-expansive people
• Housing insecurity
• Restorative justice

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Criminal Justice program at Suffolk University are prepared for careers in a range of fields, including:

• Law enforcement
• Corrections
• Social services
• Policy analysis
• Research
• Non-profit management

Career Paths

Some potential career paths for graduates of the program include:

• Police officer
• Corrections officer
• Social worker
• Policy analyst
• Researcher
• Non-profit manager

Success after Suffolk

The Criminal Justice program at Suffolk University has a strong track record of placing graduates in successful careers. Some recent graduates have gone on to work in a range of fields, including law enforcement, corrections, and social services.

Alumni Profiles

Some examples of recent graduates' job titles and employers include:

• Family Support and Stabilization Coordinator
• Police Officer
• Background Investigation Analyst
• Director of Security
• Public Safety Officer
• Corrections Officer
• Litigation Paralegal
• Legal Assistant
• Assistant
• Paralegal